DAP’s ‘brother’ Razali was ‘coerced’

Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi has challenged former Umno member Razali Abdul Rahman to reveal the content of his police report over the alleged attempt to place a Christian prime minister in Putrajaya.

KUALA LUMPUR: A previously loyal DAP member who lodged a new report on the alleged ‘Christian plot’ to takeover Putrajaya was coerced into doing so, according to Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi.

Falling short of calling it an “Umno plot”, Ooi, who is also DAP national central executive committee member, said 42-year-old Mohamed Razali Abdul Rahman was treated like a “brother”.

“We don’t know what is his intent to file the report five days after we lodged a report denying that there was a Christian conspiracy.

“In fact, he was the one who personally asked me to make the report and accompanied me on May 8 to the police station,” said Ooi, adding that he was saddened by the new development.

Ooi, who called for a press conference at the DAP headquarters here, showed reporters a newspaper cutting from Chinese daily, GuangMing, showing a photo of Ooi and Razali in front of the police station.

In the photograph Razali was seen making a thumbs down sign showing disapproval of Utusan’s report.

“When I saw the man (Razali) on TV yesterday, he looked very worried. I sympathise with him,” said Ooi, who was alongside other top DAP leaders including Tony Pua, Teresa Kok, Gobind Singh Deo, and Lim Lip Eng.

Ooi said that he received an intelligence report that Razali had a relative who was a Special Branch police officer.

Ooi alleged that the officer was instrumental in leaking the story to Utusan.

“We were informed that Razali has a relative who is a lance corporal from Jalan Petani police station in charge of taking care of political matters in Jelutong,” he said.

Ooi however declined to reveal the identity of the officer.

“It was this particular police officer who was instrumental in getting Utusan the story, I hope the police would look into this angle,” said Ooi.

Reveal content

Ooi today challenged Razali to come out and reveal the contents of his police report so that legal action, if any, could be taken by the party.

“He is hiding behind the police report. We would be glad if he could repeat his report openly.

“If what he says threatens DAP’s reputation and the Christian community then we can seek legal redress,” he said.

Further describing Razali’s background, Ooi said Razali was once an Umno member but came to him in 2008 asking to join DAP after quitting his former party.

“He told me Umno was suppressing him to a point that his car was splashed with paint on one occasion,” said Ooi, adding that he also helped Razali find an employer when he was in financial difficulty.

Ooi also said that at this juncture, Razali would be pitting himself against the eye witnesses numbering some 50 others.

“It is his words against the rest of these 50,” he said.

Ooi said eight pastors and four DAP members who attended the function, including himself, have given their statements to the police.

“The police questions were ridiculous. They were asking the pastors if they raised their right or left hand, but they simply replied ‘any’. They also asked how high were the hands raised,” said Ooi,.

Ooi said the people who had made the exposé were so ignorant that they did not know that Christians pray with their hands raised and may have misunderstood it as an oath.

Ooi also condemned Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, saying the letter of reprimand was merely a slap on the wrist when Utusan was flaming ‘dangerous fires’.

“It is clearly an agenda to destroy DAP. Hishammuddin wanted to get even because he handled the Al-Kitab issue very badly.” he said.

Ooi said he had not been able to contact Razali.

Absurd idea

When asked how the allegations surfaced if it did not happen, Ooi said:”If there really was a conspiracy, they wouldn’t have invited Razali, right?

“That’s common sense. Had I the power to summon Christian groups to lead such an agenda against Muslims. I would resurrect Altantuya (Shaaribuu) to testify. I’m just saying it’s totally absurd.”

Ooi said the conference was called “Unashamedly Ethical Conference” which was focused on ways Christians can contribute to fighting corruption and bribery.

On an allegation which surfaced on pro-Umno blogs that Ooi himself leaked the story, Ooi replied: “I wouldn’t trust the blogs. I have been a world class blogger, compared to this.”:

Meanwhile Pua who is DAP publicity chief said Hishamuddin’s comment that based on Razali’s report there was some bais to Utusan’s report was a ‘very serious claim.’

“Such insinuations could result in confusion and disharmony in the country.”

The article alleged that a group of pastors had participated in a gathering in Penang recently, together with DAP elected representatives including Ooi.

The gathering allegedly discussed a plot to turn Malaysia into a Christian country and install a Christian prime minister.

‘U-turn’

The report, based entirely on unsubstantiated blog postings by two pro-Umno bloggers, charged DAP with sedition for allegedly trying to change the country’s laws to allow for a Christian prime minister.

Several police reports have been made urging the authorities to investigate Utusan Malaysia and the blogger for criminal acts.

On Thursday, the Home Ministry issued a letter of reprimand to Utusan Malaysia over the article.

But the very next day its minister Hishamuddin said there was “some basis” to the Utusan report.

Hishammuddin said this based on ‘new evidence” provided in the police report lodged By Razali yesterday morning.

Razali, who described himself as a responsible Muslim, was quoted in Utusan as saying that he knew the “true story” behind what happened at the function, in a hotel in Macalister Road, where the alleged conspiracy was hatched.

“I am here to explain what really happened (during the function) because I was present. I made the police report because I am very disappointed with the reports which have been made by those who don’t know what really happened,” he reportedly said.

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